A VETERAN racing driver died in a horror smash after his classic grand prix car overturned in front of thousands of spectators during a race at Silverstone.

Denis Welch, 69, was piloting his Lotus 18 375 around the British Grand Prix circuit when he careered off the track yesterday.

Despite the efforts of marshals and paramedics who rushed to the scene he was pronounced dead in the circuit's medical centre later that afternoon.

Today his family said Mr Welch died "doing what he loved" and paid tribute to the businessman.

Mr Welch's son Jeremy said his mother Tina had gone to watch the race.

"My mum is devastated because her whole life was her partner and motor racing," he said.

"Her world's been turned upside down.

"They were married for 45 years and were both so passionate about classic car racing.

"He'd been driving for a very long time so he was fully aware of the risks.

"Accidents happen and it's very unfortunate."

The successful racer had been taking part in the Silverstone Classic festival, which sees historic cars from across the world descend on the Northamptonshire course.

He was at the wheel of his rear-engined 1960 Lotus- the same type of car that Sir Stirling Moss raced to victory in both the 1959 and 1960 Monaco Grands Prix - during the Jack Brabham Memorial Trophy race. Onlookers said Welch, who ran a historic car parts business in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was involved in a multi-car incident on the opening lap.

Son Jeremy said: "The car turned upside down and he died almost immediately.

"The one consoling fact was that it was very swift and he died doing what he loved."

The race was stopped and Mr Welch was rushed to the Silverstone medical centre for treatment.

Jeremy said he was pleased the Silverstone Classic race meeting restarted after the tragedy.

"That was what he would have wanted," he said.

Police and the Motor Sports Association, the UK official motor sport governing body, are conducting a full investigation into his death.

Silverstone confirmed Mr Welch's death in a statement and said: "It is with great regret that the organisers of the Silverstone Classic have to report that, following an accident in a race on Sunday 27th July, the driver of car number 19, Denis Welch, succumbed to his injuries later in the circuit's Medical Centre.

"The event organisers, the race organisation, and the circuit's medical and emergency services, will all now be co-operating with the police and the MSA, the UK official motor sport governing body, to conduct a full investigation.

"All those involved in the event offer sincere condolences to family and the friends of Denis Welch at this very sad time."

Friends and fans took to social media and racing forums to express their sadness at the incident.

Auberge de la Rose tweeted: "Shocked to hear of Denis Welch's fatal crash at the Silverstone Classic. Been a sad & dark year for historic racing."

Stuart Jones added: "Condolences to Denis Welch's family and many many friends. A legend to remember!"